Member-only story

If You Give an Ox an Oxy: A Cautionary Tale for the Opioid Epidemic

Carson Blair

·12.4k Followers· Follow

Published in If You Give An Ox An Oxy: A Parod(ox)y

4 min read

489 View Claps

59 Respond

Save

Listen

The opioid epidemic is a serious public health crisis that is affecting communities across the United States. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and two-thirds of those deaths involved opioids. The opioid epidemic is a complex issue with many contributing factors, including the overprescription of opioids, the rise of fentanyl, and the lack of access to treatment.

If You Give an Ox an Oxy: A Parod(ox)y

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4259 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	65 pages

The Overprescription of Opioids

One of the major contributing factors to the opioid epidemic is the overprescription of opioids by doctors. In the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies began to market opioids as safe and effective for the treatment of pain. As a result, doctors began to prescribe opioids more frequently, even for minor pain. This led to a sharp increase in the number of people taking opioids, and many of these people became addicted.

The Rise of Fentanyl

Another major contributing factor to the opioid epidemic is the rise of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, and it can be deadly even in small doses. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of overdose deaths involving fentanyl.

The Lack of Access to Treatment

The opioid epidemic is also being fueled by the lack of access to treatment. Many people who are addicted to opioids are unable to get the help they need. There are a number of barriers to treatment, including the cost of treatment, the lack of insurance coverage, and the stigma associated with addiction.

The Consequences of the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is having a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. Opioid addiction can lead to a number of health problems, including overdose, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Opioid addiction can also lead to job loss, homelessness, and crime. The opioid epidemic is also putting a strain on the healthcare system and the economy.

What Can Be Done to Address the Opioid Epidemic?

There are a number of things that can be done to address the opioid epidemic, including:

Reducing the overprescription of opioids
Expanding access to treatment
Educating the public about the dangers of opioids
Supporting research on opioid addiction

The opioid epidemic is a serious public health crisis that is affecting communities across the United States. There are a number of factors contributing to the opioid epidemic, including the overprescription of opioids, the rise of fentanyl, and the lack of access to treatment. The opioid epidemic is having a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. There are a number of things that can be done to address the opioid epidemic, including reducing the overprescription of opioids, expanding access to treatment, educating the public about the dangers of opioids, and supporting research on opioid addiction.

If You Give an Ox an Oxy: A Parod(ox)y

4.8 out of 5